Special Interests
The River Trails Park District offers numerous activities for youth and teens! Check out our current special interest class and Parkour Programs. Youth also enjoy our summer camps, dance and athletic programming.
Rockin’ Guitars
Learn to rock on the guitar! We cover the basics: chords, scales, rhythm and songs. Have your own guitar? Bring it! If not, we’ll supply one. Chad Berardi currently rocks Chicago with his own band, has been playing for 25 years and teaching for 14 years. 6 classes per session. Min 4/Max 8.
| Age | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee per session |
| 7-14 yrs | Weiss Community Center | Tuesdays | 4:30-5 pm | Sep 11-Oct 16 & Oct 30-Dec 11 | $77R/$92N |
Intro to Programming
This course will introduce non-readers or early readers to the concepts of programming with Logo. Using iconic point & click commands to develop math, logic and problem solving skills as they explore and create a project they can imagine.
| Grade | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee |
| K-2 | Prospect Heights Park District | W | 4:30-5:30 pm | Sep 19-Oct 10 | $75R/$90N |
Video Game Lab
Let’s create a game on the PC with Xbox controllers! Using a visual programming language, that students can learn about creativity, problem solving, and collaboration. It’s not just about programming. Stretch your imagination to design and build fun filled, challenging games to share with your family and friends. Students will get a copy of their game, after class is complete
| Grade | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee |
| 4-7 | The Zone | W | 6-7:15 pm | Nov 28-Dec 19 | $93R/$111N |
What’s Under the Microscope
Guess what we discover under the microscope? Together we will explore a whole new world of learning and excitement. Using the computer and a child-friendly digital microscope, students will explore the concepts of magnification, science, nature study & digital editing.
| Grade | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee |
| K-2 | Prospect Heights Park District | W | 4:30-5:30 pm | Oct 24-Nov 14 | $75R/$90N |
Young Magicians
Join us for a fun night of magic and mystery! Magic tricks will be taught that include cards, coins, ropes, and much more! You will discover that the tricks are quick to learn and easy to perform. All materials are provided on site. Each child will receive a magic kit to take home at the end of class. Participants are grouped by age and learn age-appropriate tricks. New tricks are taught at each session, so sign up again and again.
Contracted by the Magic of Gary Kantor.
| Age | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee |
| 5-12 yrs | Arlington Heights Park District | Th | 6:30-7:25 pm | Sep 25 | $20R/$25N |
| 5-12 yrs | Arlington Heights Park District | Th | 5-5:55 pm | Dec 6 | $20R/$25N |
Clay Creations
Embrace the challenge and excitement of building your own clay sculptures with your bare hands! Participants will use various construction techniques to create ceramic keepsakes under the
tutelage of instructor Mike Hertz. RTPD staff will pick your child up from River Trails Middle School at 3pm to transport them to the Zone for the start of class at 3:15pm. Parents should pick up
their child from the Zone at 5pm. Please send a snack and drink. No class Nov 22.
| Age | Location | Day | Time | Date | Fee per session |
| 11-14 yrs | The Zone | Th | 3:15-5 pm | Sep 13-Oct 18 & Nov 1-Dec 13 | $70R/$84N |
Root Beer Rocks – Cancelled
Brewing homemade root beer is a ridiculously fun and tasty way to introduce early chemistry teachings to children! The class will cast their vote for BEST ROOT BEER IN TOWN as they taste test a flight of 5 different unidentified sumptuous foamy brands. Finally, kids will complete their experience by preparing their own customized “black cow” (root beer float)!
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Th 6 – 7pm
Sep 20
$25R/$30N
Have The SLIME of Your Life – Halloween Version
Have the slime of your life making Halloween themed Glow-in the-Dark Slime! Next, move into the concoction lab and learn the physics of FRANKENSLIME GOO while making your own batch and scenting it too. Then hang out in the ultimate slime lab with loads of various slimes and splat balls too. BONUS: Slime snack served!
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 12 – 1pm
Oct 20
$23R/$27N
Halloween in Hollywood
Experiment with the science of shocking Hollywood gory special effects makeup. Kids will try out things like: bleeding blisters, bad bruises, wicked wounds, designing gross teeth and more secrets from the movies will be explored. Kids can participate in a “Shark Tank” style showcase to present their work to the pretend Hollywood producers. Gross Snack Served.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
Sa 1 – 2pm
Oct 20
$23R/$27N
Got Communication and Confidence
Through and incredibly fun and high energy workshop, kids will have the chance to improve their verbal and listening skills through communication and confidence boosting games like: Haunted House on the Hill, North Pole Party, Whoopee Cushion Caper & Turkey Triangle. Kids will learn from a Certified Professional Life Coach the hottest tips in building communication and confidence. Treats and prizes included.
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
M 7 – 8pm
Nov 26
$23R/$27N
Santa Slimeology Lab
Have the time of your life saving Santa Claus from sinking in snow when an arctic blast hits our workshop! Making themed seasonal winter slime and faux snow is so fun! Enter the concoction center to customize your projects to please your senses! Lastly, hang out in the ultimate slime lab with loads of various slimes and splat balls too! Bonus: Slime snack served!
Age: 6yrs-12yrs
Location: Weiss Community Center
M 6 – 7pm
Nov 26
$23R/$27N
Chess Scholars –After School Chess Club
Develop your child’s intellect through the royal game of chess! No previous knowledge of chess is necessary. Each class will consist of a fun interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will get to the next level under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach. There will also be a chess competition with prizes at the end of the session. Activity bus will be available after class.
Grade: K – 5
Location: Indian Grove School
W 3:30 – 4:15pm
Sep 12 – Oct 17
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Grade: K – 5
Location: Euclid School
Th 3:30 – 4:15pm
Sep 13 – Oct 18
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Smart Start Art
Explore your artistic side with the Smart Art Program from Afterschool Enrichment Solutions. Discover your creativity and imagination as an artist, develop fine-motor skills, style, and vision as we explore different artistic techniques through a variety of inspiring projects and play fun, exciting games. Sketch and draw, shade and color, cut, glue, fold… Create! No experience necessary. Activity bus will be available after class. No class Nov 21 & 22.
Grade: K – 3
Location: Euclid School
W 3:30 – 4:15pm
Nov 7 – Dec 19
$103R/$123N 6 classes
Grade: K – 3
Location: Indian Grove School
Th 3:30 – 4:15pm
Nov 8 – Dec 20